Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

All career personnel at the YKFD have Basic Life Support (BLS) training.  This training includes annual CPR certification, BTLS, Pediatric BTLS, as well most staff are also trained in 12-1 EMT-A skills (IV therapy, ECG/Defibrillator, & D50 administration). 

We respond to over 2200 ambulance calls per year in Yellowknife.  This includes the many Medivacs that come from outside communities in the Northwest Territories.

The Ambulance service portion of the YKFD is under the Medical Direction of Dr. Jyl Radwell (Dr. J).  Dr. Radwell is a highly educated and trained physician employed by Stanton Territorial Hospital and specializes in Emergency Medicine.  Along with one single Medical Director each Emergency Room Physician at Stanton Hospital has been given the capacity to offer medical direction to our EMT's in the absence of Dr. Radwell.

Fire

Firefighters must be prepared to respond immediately to a fire or any other emergency that arises. Because fighting fires is dangerous and complex, it requires organization and teamwork. At every emergency scene, firefighters perform specific duties assigned by a superior officer.

At fires, they connect hose lines to hydrants, operate pumps to high-pressure hoses and position ladders to deliver water to the fire. They also rescue victims and administer emergency medical aid as needed, ventilate smoke-filled areas, and attempt to salvage the contents of buildings. Their duties may change several times during one incident.

 

Hazardous Materials

About 10,000 new chemicals are created every year. These chemicals are used all around us, each and every day. They generally pose very little danger, but they can become a significant threat to our lives. This has forced firefighters to prepare for "Haz-Mat" incidents.

The custom built Haz-Mat vehicle is always ready and has a wide array of specialized equipment to identify, monitor, contain and stabilize a spill or leak. It can also decontaminate personnel and equipment after the conclusion of the incident.

With the constantly increasing numbers of chemical, bacterial, radio-active and biological materials around us, Hazardous Material Response and Training will need to grow.
 

Rescue

Yellowknife Fire Service is well equipped to handle a variety of emergencies. These pages will teach you about how firefighters help save people in vehicle and machinery accidents. You can even learn about the Ice and Water Rescue Team.